RJS Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $393,960 (FY 2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (no public application process)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Likely Kansas City metropolitan area

Contact Details

No public contact information available. Foundation can potentially be reached through MC Shaw Associates (Shaw Family Office).

Overview

The RJS Family Foundation (also known as Shaw Family Foundation) is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2022 with 501(c)(3) status. Based in Prairie Village, Kansas, the foundation holds total assets of $8.9 million as of 2024, having grown significantly from $2.1 million in 2021. The foundation made $393,960 in charitable disbursements in fiscal year 2024. Led by trustees Jeanne Shaw and Laura J. Sargent, the foundation operates as a private family foundation without a public application process. Leadership connections strongly suggest focus areas in rare disease research, particularly Angelman syndrome, and children's health initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have publicly disclosed grant programs. All grants appear to be made at trustee discretion with no public application process.

Priority Areas

Based on leadership connections and professional involvement:

• Angelman syndrome research and treatment
• Rare disease support and advocacy
• Children's health and development
• Special needs children and families
• Healthcare organizations in the Kansas City area

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly disclosed

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Jeanne Shaw - Trustee
• Laura J. Sargent - Trustee, also serves as Executive Director/President of MC Shaw Associates (Shaw Family Office) and President of Maddie's Mission Foundation. She is a pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in NICU follow-up, council member for Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST), and member of Angelman Syndrome Family Advisory Council at Children's Mercy Kansas City.

No compensation is reported for trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be made entirely at trustee discretion based on the foundation's charitable priorities and existing relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation appears closely connected to:

• Children's Mercy Kansas City's Angelman Syndrome Clinic
• Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) where Laura Sargent serves as council member
• Maddie's Mission Foundation, also led by Laura Sargent
• Organizations working in rare disease advocacy and children's special needs

Organizations working in these areas or connected to these networks may have better opportunities for relationship building.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

As a private family foundation without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations seeking support would need:

• Existing relationships with trustees or their professional networks
• Strong alignment with the family's demonstrated interests in rare diseases, particularly Angelman syndrome
• Connection to the Kansas City healthcare community, particularly Children's Mercy
• Work that directly impacts children with special needs and their families

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private family foundation with no public application process - unsolicited proposals are unlikely to be considered
• Strong personal connection to Angelman syndrome through Laura Sargent's daughter Maddie
• Foundation assets have grown significantly from $2.1M to $8.9M in three years, suggesting expanding grant capacity
• Leadership's professional involvement in Children's Mercy Kansas City and FAST indicates deep commitment to rare disease causes
• Organizations already connected to the Angelman syndrome community or Kansas City children's healthcare networks have the best chance of building relationships
• Consider connecting through Maddie's Mission Foundation or professional networks before approaching directly

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - RJS Family Foundation (EIN: 87-4008313). Accessed February 10, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/874008313
• Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics - Laura Sargent Bio. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://cureangelman.org/bios/laura-sargent
• The Miraculous Miss Maddie website. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://themiraculousmissmaddie.org/
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for fiscal years 2021-2024 via ProPublica